“Equifax has yet again extended the deadline for getting free freezes on Equifax credit reports following its massive data breach.

Amid today’s news reports of a change in deadline from January 31st to June 30th, we called Equifax's freeze department and received confirmation of the change.

Although this gives consumers more time, there should be no deadline at all. Freezes should be free for consumers to get at any and all times.

Also, consumers should act sooner than later because each day that goes by is another day an identity thief could open an account in your name if you don't have a freeze on your credit report.

Getting credit freezes at all three national credit bureaus remains the best action consumers can take after the Equifax breach, whether they were affected by it or not. Even though in most states you’ll outrageously still have to pay fees at Experian and TransUnion, you should get the free freeze with Equifax while you still can.”

-30-

Our step-by-step guide for placing credit freezes with all three bureaus is available here. FAQs about the Equifax data breach are available here.

U.S. PIRG is the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups. PIRGs are non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organizations that stand up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society. On the web at www.uspirg.org.